Analysis: Like Johnny Manziel, Chad Kelly can define his career against Alabama

Chad Kelly is Johnny Manziel 2.0, and he can one-up Manziel’s signature moment as a college quarterback by taking his record against Alabama to 2-0.

For good or bad, Kelly will decide the outcome of the SEC opener pitting the No. 1 Crimson Tide against No. 19 Ole Miss. If Kelly can escape the pass rush of Tim Williams and Jonathan Allen and put his wide receivers in positions to succeed against the Alabama secondary, the Rebels can come up with their third consecutive upset win in the series. If Kelly gets careless with the ball, Nick Saban will avoid losing to the same starting quarterback in consecutive seasons since arriving in Tuscaloosa (Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee both played in LSU’s wins in 2010 and 2011, but alternated starting duties).

Kelly has thrown multiple touchdown passes in each of his last 10 games dating back to last season, directing wins against ranked Texas A&M, LSU, and Oklahoma State teams without the benefit of any Ole Miss player rushing for more than 97 yards.

In the season opener against Florida State, Kelly took Ole Miss out to a 28-6 lead in the first half in his first game without first-round NFL draft picks Laquon Treadwell at wide receiver and Laremy Tunsil at offensive tackle. But the Seminoles rallied back by capitalizing on a Kelly interception and fumble in the third quarter to take the lead, though he pulled Ole Miss back within 5 points in the fourth quarter.

So close but yet so far.

Sounds like Manziel’s second shot at Alabama, right? The pick-six that put the Aggies in a 35-14 hole, followed by the 95-yard touchdown to Mike Evans that made it a game again.

Those aren’t the only similarities between the Ole Miss redshirt senior and the Heisman Trophy winner from Texas A&M.

Career nearly derailed before it began because of incidents away from the field? Check. Frenetic free-wheeling style that is just as likely to produce gasps as groans? Check. Ability to elevate a downtrodden program and upstart coach to unprecedented heights? Check. Skill set to elevate everyone else around him that comes out in a manner just as likely to sink the team? Check. Uncertain NFL prospects just as likely to entice NFL teams as horrify them? Check. An uncanny knack for getting in trouble on social media? Oh man.

If there were betting odds available in 2013 that the top quarterback in the SEC would get called out by an adult film star on Twitter days after an erratic performance against a team ranked in the top 5, plenty of people would have lost money on Manziel. It actually happened earlier this month when Florida State fan Mia Khalifa shared direct messages Kelly sent to her before the Rebels’ loss to the Seminoles, prompting Kelly to delete his account.

What really links Kelly and Manziel are the performances each delivered in upsetting Saban-led Crimson Tide teams that went on to win the national championship, summed up in one amazing, unpredictable play.

Kelly’s 66-yard touchdown pass last season, a play that started with a fumbled snap and was thrown up for grabs before hitting a receiver in the hands, bouncing off a defender’s helmet, and into the waiting arms of Quincy Adeboyejo, is more audacious than Manziel’s scramble and scoring toss in 2012 and just as memorable. It is the kind of play that will be remembered by those that saw it live for a lifetime and featured on highlight reels to give future generations the same sensation. It captures in seconds the sheer mastery, luck, and competitive fire displayed over the course of 60 minutes to defeat the best team in the sport that season.

For Manziel, those four quarters summed up the potential that ultimately went unfulfilled for him and Texas A&M. For Kelly, it represents a glimpse at what is still possible. After defeating Alabama last season, Ole Miss was in control of the SEC West until an equally dramatic loss to Arkansas in November. If Kelly can make it three in a row over Alabama, winning an SEC championship or even the national title are still in play.

Manziel’s two games against Alabama sum up his college career. The same opponent will likely define Kelly’s, and whatever happens Saturday, it won’t be boring.